Why This Program?

Reach the pinnacle of nursing.

The demand for quality health care is ballooning, and providers everywhere are seeking highly educated, well-trained nurse practitioners to meet the need. If you're already a certified nurse practitioner, our post-master's DNP program is designed to take you to the next level in two years! While the completion for the DNP program does not lead to additional licensure, the DNP is quickly becoming the standard for preparing those nurse practitioners.

Convenient and flexible online classes: Our program offers courses in a convenient, online format using our cutting-edge online learning platform.
Practicum with impact: We require 480 practicum hours from our DNP students because we know that it will make a substantial difference in your learning experience. Our practicums focus on elements of the DNP role, such as leadership, cultural competency, ethics, population health, informatics, finance management, and evidence-based practice. These hours are satisfied through student course work/experiences and are infused within the curriculum.
Caring, veteran faculty members: Our instructors have decades of teaching and professional experience. They'll be with you at every step and never more than an email, phone call, or chat away.

More About the Program

The doctorate program at Briar Cliff University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Briar Cliff was the first accredited doctoral level nursing program in Northwest Iowa. From our founding as a women's college in 1930 to the evolution of our highly sought online and graduate nursing degrees, at Briar Cliff University we've been educating the region's most committed nurses for generations.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice at BCU is a practice-focused, post-master’s program designed to prepare experts in advanced practice nursing and leaders in healthcare delivery. While attending the program, individuals will gain knowledge in:

Synthesize caring, holistic relationships with multiple individuals in an advanced practice role through being, knowing, acting with compassion and respective cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity in the global society.
Integrate the breadth and depth of knowledge from the humanities and natural and social sciences in the application of the art and science of advanced practice nursing to multiple individuals.
Exercise the art and science of nursing to determine interventions to promote the health of all individuals in the advanced practice setting.
Assimilate nursing theory into the art and science of nursing at the advanced practice level.
Interface, using a variety of communication skills including informatics, with individual and inter/intra-professionals to promote optimal health outcome for all individuals.
Lead decision–making processes and policy development based on legal, ethical, political, sociocultural, and spiritual dimensions while demonstrating leadership in an advanced practice role and in the delivery of health care at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Blend and guarantee responsibility and accountability for the ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of one’s own nursing practice and the practice of others.
Appraise the teaching/learning needs of self and of all individual with problems in the provision of advanced practice nursing interventions.
Orchestrate and evaluate evidence from nursing research into the art and science of nursing.
Ascertain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to continuously improve the quality and safety of the health care systems in which they practice.

The entire program is designed for master's prepared nurse practitioners and can be completed online. Students will need a computer with a microphone, web camera, and stable Internet connection. Throughout the program, students will obtain 480 practicum hours at the DNP level to meet the 1000 hour requirement for the DNP degree.

View the Nursing Student Handbook

View the Nursing Clinical Handbook

Applications are accepted year-round.

Are you ready to impact lives with a DNP degree?

Steps to Enroll

One copy of the formal application for admission.
Current resume and/or curriculum vitae.
An official transcript from all prior undergraduate and graduate study documenting bachelor's and master's degrees from accredited programs.
Demonstrate logical thinking and writing skills in the preparation of a goal statement. This statement must:
- Include the applicant's short-term and long-term professional goals in nursing (maximum 250 words)
- Include the applicant's professional leadership and work experience in relation to practice setting, client population served, number of years of experience, and how the experiences prepared he/she for graduate education (maximum 250 words)
- Include areas of inquiry where the applicant would like to pursue in the graduate studies (maximum 100 words)
- Signature of the applicant and date the statement was written.
Evidence of National Certification as a nurse practitioner.
Verification of post-Baccalaureate clinical practice hours.
Computer proficiency in email, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Access to and ability to utilize a functional webcam and microphone are required for the application process and online course participation.
Submit two letters of reference/recommendation from individuals within the profession, with one from an individual with an advanced degree (APRN, DNP, MD, DO preferred).
A non-refundable $250.00 matriculation fee will be required to hold the applicant's place in the cohort and will be applied to the first semester tuition. This fee is not due until after the applicant is accepted to the program and will be applied to the first semester tuition.

Plan of Study

Summer Year 1	Fall Year 1	Spring Year 1
NURS 675 Cultural Competence in Health Care (3 cr; 3:0)* NURS 880 Professional Ethics for Health Care Leaders (3 cr; 3:0)*	NURS 840 Philosophy and Theory for Advanced Practice Nursing (3 cr; 3:0)* NURS 810 Information Technology for EBP (4 cr; 3:1)*	NURS 846 Translational Research and Practice Innovation Project I (5 cr; 4:1)*
Summer Year 2	Fall Year 2	Spring Year 2
NURS 856 Practice Innovation Project II (2 cr; 1:1) NURS 820 Financial Management for Health Care Organizations (4 cr; 3:1)*	NURS 866 Practice Innovation Project III (2 cr; 1:1) NURS 800 Epidemiology and Global Health (4 cr; 3:1)*	NURS 876 Practice Innovation Project IV (2 cr; 1:1) NURS 890 Leadership in Complex Health Care Organizations (4 cr; 3:1)*
Total Credits: 36

*Please note that courses may be placed in a different semester depending on cohort enrollment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I transfer in nursing courses?

A: A total of 9 graduate credits can be transferred from another institution.

Q: What is the cost of the program?
A: $525/credit plus a $60 per credit fee. The DNP program is 36 credits. Learn more

Q: Are there any "hidden fees"?
A: Each course that has a lab or a clinical component in the MSN program has a $75/clinical credit fee. The DNP program does not have clinical fees. In addition, several courses require clinical applications fees, however, our program views these similar to textbook fees, as they assist students as resources within the program. All "resources" will be billed as a fee for the course and students can therefore pay these fees with their financial aid assistance.

Q: Are there any out of pocket costs that are not associated with the University Bill?
A: Textbooks, Clinical Background Check and Tracking, Assessment Tools for clinical, and Lab Coats are required for all students. Students are responsible for these costs.

Q: How long are your programs?
A: We consider our program a part-time graduate program. The DNP program is 2 years or 6 semesters (which includes 2 summers).

Q: Can I utilize financial aid for graduate school?
A: If you are enrolled in 5 or more graduate credits, you should qualify for federal financial aid loans.

Q: Does your institution have any scholarships for graduate students?
A: Unfortunately, we do not have any scholarships offered by Briar Cliff University in the graduate program. We do however feel that we have very low and affordable tuition compared to other institutions.

Q: Will the school find my preceptors?
A: We ask that students share a role in identifying preceptors for clinical experiences, especially those outside of the Siouxland Region. Students will work with the clinical coordinator to identify potential preceptors. The clinical coordinator in collaboration with the NP faculty will vet the preceptors, sites, and establish the clinical contracts.

Clinical Preceptor Program

Help shape the next generation of health care providers.

Preceptors are needed to facilitate the education of Briar Cliff students enrolled in our Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) nurse practitioner programs.

Preceptor Responsibilities

Preceptors act as role models, helping our students strengthen their skills in performing assessments, diagnosis and treatment of diverse patients across the lifespan and in a variety of settings. Preceptors provide opportunities for students to interact with other health professionals and learn necessary communication and organizational skills that prepare them for practice. Preceptors assist with the evaluation of student attainment of established competencies.

Preceptor Benefits

Sharing clinical knowledge and skills with the next generation of advanced practice nurses can be both personally and professional rewarding. Our graduate nursing students are dedicated and enthusiastic learns, with a passion for helping people and making a difference in the Siouxland community. Some of the benefits for becoming a BCU preceptor include:

Appointment as Adjunct Clinical instructor (ACI): ACIs receive access to cultural competence training and Spanish for Health Professionals courses, preceptor training and other continuing education opportunities.
Access to BCU's Bishop Mueller Library: The library offers access to more than 200,000 volumes in its physical and digital collections, and subscriber access to 20-plus scholarly databases. It is a member of Iowa Open Access. There is also access to UpToDate, an online clinical information database.
Credit toward recertification (ANCC & AANP in 2017)
Streamlined communication with clinical coordinator
Training program for clinical preceptors

Preceptor Qualifications

Health professionals with the following credentials are qualified to precept BCU graduate nursing students:

Nurse practitioners, medical doctors and physician assistants
Active license in state of practice
Board certification in area of specialty
Two years of practice in current or similar practice site(s)
Strong desire to teach and learn

Learn More

Request to Become a Preceptor

Licensure

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs at Briar Cliff University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). All BCU nursing programs are approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing and meet the state educational requirements for licensure in the state of Iowa.

All graduates of our accredited pre-licensure BSN program are eligible to take the national licensing exam (NCLEX) in the state of their choice. Completion of the BSN following licensure as an RN does not lead to additional licensure
BCU has not made a determination that its MSN and Post-Graduate APRN certificate curricula meet the educational requirements for any other states. Students from other states are encouraged to contact their state licensing boards to determine if the program meets the educational requirements for licensure in that state, by checking e ach state's licensing board.
Completion of the DNP program does not lead to additional licensure.

Learn More

Interested in Loan Forgiveness?

You may qualify for loan forgiveness after completing your degree. Below are some resources to learn more.

Health Professional Recruitment Program

Rural Iowa Primary Care Loan Repayment Program

Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program

Student Loan Forgiveness - Federal Student Aid